Robert DeSalle - Homepage

Adjunct Professor: Columbia University, NYU, University of Connecticut, Yale University 
Associate Editor, Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, Evolution Ancient Biomolecules Editorial Board, Systematic Biology 

Research:

Dr. DeSalle's fields of specialization are molecular evolution, population genetics, molecular systematics, and developmental biology. His current research concerns the molecular systematics of the Drosophilidae and the use of this group as a model for systematics. Due to the excellent biological background on these flies, he and his colleagues are examining the developmental and molecular basis of morphological change. In addition, they are attempting to examine the molecular basis of character changes used in the systematics of these flies. 

A second aspect of DeSalle's research concerns the conservation genetics of endangered species. In collaboration with the New York Zoological Society, he is examining the molecular genetics of several diverese endangered species. He is also studying the conservation genetics of endangered northeastern United States tiger beetles as a model system. 

Recent Scientific Publications:

DeSalle, R., and D. Lindley. The Science in Jurassic Park. New York: Basic Books, 1997. 

DeSalle, R., and B. Schierwater. Selected Topics in Molecular Evolution. Basel:
Birkhuaser, 1997. 

Brower, A.V.Z., R. DeSalle and A. Vogler. "Gene Trees, Species Trees and Systematics:
A Cladistic Perspective." Annual Reviews of Ecology and Systematics 27(1996): 423-450. 

DeSalle, R., and V. Birstein "PCR Analysis of Black Caviar." Nature 381(1996): 97-198. 

Powell, J., and R. DeSalle. "Drosophila Molecular Phylogenies and their Uses."
Evolutionary Biology 28 (1995): 87-138. 

Schierwater, B., B. Steit, G. Wagner and R. DeSalle. "Molecular Approaches to Ecology and Evolution." Basel: Birkhauser, 1994. 

DeSalle, R. "The Origin and Possible Time of Divergence of the Hawaiian Drosophilidae."
Molecular Biology and Evolution 9 (1992): 905-916. 

DeSalle, R., and D.A. Grimaldi. "Characters and the Systematics of Drosophilidae." Journal of Heredity 83(1992): 182-190. 

DeSalle, R., J. Gatesy, W. Wheeler, and D. Grimaldi. "DNA Sequences from a Fossil Termite in Oligo-miocene Amber and their Phylogenetic Implications." Science 257(1992): 1933-1936.